feel

verb

\ˈfēl

felt\ ˈfelt

\; feeling

Definition of feel

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2a : to undergo passive experience of continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by felt the insult deeply

3 : to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4a : to be aware of by instinct or inference feel trouble brewing

b : believe, think say what you really feel

5 US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.— Scott Sugarman When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?— Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b : to search for something by using the sense of touch She felt in her purse for her keys.

2a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition I feel sick.

b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion feels strongly about it

3 : seem it feels like spring today

4 : to have sympathy or pity I feel for you

feel like

: to have an inclination for feel like a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : sensation, feeling

2 : the sense of touch

3a : the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b : typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4 : intuitive knowledge or ability

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about feel

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Synonyms for feel

Synonyms: Verb

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Synonyms: Noun

feeling, sensation, sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg. I could feel the warmth of the sun. I felt someone tap my shoulder. Do you feel a draft? She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique. He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Over the fall and winter, U.S. troops felt misled by their government, deceived by their officers, abused by their allies and outgunned by their enemy, fighting in a war that was already over. — Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, "The One Time American Troops Fought Russians Was at the End of World War I—and They Lost," 9 Nov. 2018 Combine that with its 6.4-ounce weight, and the new Paperwhite looks and feels just different enough for users to notice a pleasant change. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Kindle Paperwhite 2018 review: A more premium e-reader at the right price," 7 Nov. 2018 Coffman said that people who have issues related to gender and sexuality may feel more comfortable talking with someone who has the same gender or ethnic background as them. — Hannah Holzer, sacbee, "California needs more mental health professionals – and the shortage will get worse, experts say," 11 July 2018 The director can only be fired for cause — not because the president just feels like it. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Consumer advocacy groups are extremely worried about Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018 An art maven’s weekly fix of the local arts scene: what to see, what to hear, what to do, who to meet and musings about how art makes people feel—their ArtFeel. — Nickole Kerner Bobley, Houston Chronicle, "ART FEEL: Woodlands native Phil Hernandez wins ASCAP award," 13 July 2018 Talk’ There’s an efficiency to the bowl that can make plates feel cumbersome by comparison. — Bee Wilson, WSJ, "The Comfort of Bowl Food," 13 July 2018 Brice Loose can tell you exactly what an elephant seal feels like: a furry inflatable squishy toy, not quite as hard as a basketball. — Kasha Patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018 Having said that, the Justice Department’s decision to appeal its lost case against the merger feels like a waste of government time and money. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Trump Diplomacy, Wilbur Ross, China Surplus: CEO Daily for July 13, 2018," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Developed by Octavi Navarro, who also made The Librarian, the games capture the feel of the TV series with the same iconic black-and-white aesthetic and similar settings and stories. — Michael Moore, The Verge, "Midnight Scenes are the perfect Halloween weekend bite-sized games," 28 Oct. 2018 The airy home sits on a long and narrow plot of land, which gives it the feel of a modern railroad house. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Modern tropical house uses pool and facade for climate control," 19 Oct. 2018 Whether that’s daylight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, ambient interior lighting, or a mix of both, light can change the entire feel of a home. — Madeleine Bokan, House Beautiful, "This House Has The Coolest Lighting You’ve Ever Seen," 19 Oct. 2018 The magnesium frame bonded to the leather lid is lighter, helping the Spectre Folio avoid the top-heavy feel of some convertibles. — Melissa Riofrio, PCWorld, "The HP Spectre Folio is a leather-clad laptop that's luxurious," 1 Oct. 2018 In Qatar, the feel of an Olympic-style atmosphere is likely, with most fans collected in one place. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Qatar is the World Cup every fan should attend," 13 July 2018 Capital Classics, which has been performing Shakespeare productions since 1991, tends to use simple sets and props so as not to distract from the natural feel of the outdoors. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Outdoor Shakespeare This Summer: 'Pericles,' 'Love's Labour's Lost,' 'Hamlet' And...," 9 July 2018 Some Sierra Oaks residents are worried about what the new construction means for the historic feel of the neighborhood. — Adesuwa Agbonile, sacbee, "Sierra Oaks residents worry this renovated bank will clash with Tudor-style homes," 7 July 2018 Chef Alexander Hong, who had stops at Jean George in New York and Quince in San Francisco, and Colby Heiman, who has worked in restaurants and as a real estate investor, changed the feel of the restaurant with a warmer color palette. — Michael Bauer, SFChronicle.com, "Sorrel off to a stellar start in Pacific Heights," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.